McInnes calls on SNP to scrap super ID database plans

Posted by Media Team | Updated 2015-05-12

Scottish Liberal Democrats have said it would be rank hypocrisy if the SNP didn’t scrap its super ID database plans after it was revealed the party will oppose the Snooper’s Charter due to civil liberties concerns.

It comes after a newspaper today reported that the SNP will oppose the Tories’ flagship Snooper’s Charter – a policy which the Liberal Democrats blocked in government. However, the SNP would do so at the same time as building its own illiberal super database, assigning every person in Scotland with a unique number and expanding access to the central database to 120 public bodies.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes warned that the SNP’s policy would reek of political opportunism, particularly after an SNP MP reportedly said: “We think the mass collection of data is wrong. There is a line beyond which it is unacceptable for civil liberties can be impinged.”

Commenting, Ms McInnes said:

“The SNP Government must scrap its super ID database plans immediately or rightly face accusations of rank hypocrisy from the people of Scotland.

“If they oppose the mass collection of data by the Conservatives, how can they see no problems with it at Holyrood? While I welcome their late support for our campaign to stop the Snooper’s Charter, it will reek of political opportunism if they do not also scrap their intrusive super ID database plans.

“Liberal Democrats blocked the Snoopers Charter when we were in government because it would give the state unprecedented power to monitor our personal communications. The SNP’s super ID database is a national identity register by the back door.

“The Royal College of Psychiatrists, NSPCC Scotland, civil liberties campaigners and members of the public have firmly rejected the SNP’s illiberal plans. More and more people are joining the Scottish Liberal Democrats every day because they know we are the only party to stand up for civil liberties.

“We will continue to lead the fight against the SNP’s illiberal plans.”

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